Paper money dispenser

ABSTRACT

A novelty item capable of dispensing individual bills of paper currency for presenting a monetary gift in a new and extravagant fashion. The novelty item includes a container having panels and a slot disposed through one of the panels. A roll of paper currency is disposed within the container and a portion of the roll extends outwardly through the slot of the container. The roll includes a strip of a bills joined together in seriatim in end-to-end fashion. The roll also includes pieces of tape adhered between ends of the bills for temporarily connecting the bills together to establish the strip. The novelty item is packaged in a unique packaging kit for display and marketing purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention generally relates to novelty gift items.More specifically, this invention is directed to a paper money dispenserthat individually dispenses bills of paper currency in any desireddenomination such that a recipient receives a gift of money in a fan andnovel manner.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] Various types of article dispensers have long been used todispense such things as labels, correction tape, bandages, and evenbacon. More recently, however, a dispenser for dispensing linerlesslabels was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,301 to Boreali et al.Boreali et al. teach a dispenser for dispensing individual labels from arolled up web of labels, wherein each label readily separates from thenext label, in series fashion. A roll of web labels includes a core anda series of back-to-back linerless labels wherein each label isreleasably connected by pressure sensitive adhesive to two other labelsin an overlapping arrangement. The dispenser is a box-like device andincludes a slot opening in the top thereof, a hollow interior therein,and a spindle mounted within the interior. The spindle is connected towalls of the housing and provides a mount and spindle for the roll tounwind upon. Immediately above and parallel to the spindle, a pair ofarcuate guide surfaces are disposed in the housing for guiding movementof the labels away from the spindle. A pair of break-over rollers ispositioned immediately above and parallel to the pair of opposed guidesurfaces, are rotatable with respect to the housing, and define the exitopening of the dispenser. The break-over rollers further havesufficiently small diameters, compared to the length of each label, toenable stripping action to permit easy detachment of one label from thenext. Unfortunately, however, the dispenser of Boreali et al. isunnecessarily complicated with its arcuate guide surfaces, break overrollers, and spindle, and cannot be produced from simple cardboard boxconstruction.

[0008] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,296 to Flood teaches another devicefor dispensing a series of individual labels that are temporarilyadhered to a continuous reel of backing tape. The device includes acontainer having a passage through which the backing tape and labels arepulled along a predetermined path. The device also includes a smoothguiding edge positioned adjacent to the predetermined path and extendsedgewise with respect thereto. The guiding edge contacts a back side ofthe backing tape, wherein the edge is positioned at an angle such as topermit the labels to be peeled away from the backing tape at a sharpright angle. Accordingly, the labels are projected from the devicemerely by pulling and drawing a free end of the backing tape over thesmooth guiding edge at a 90 degree angle from the path defined by theedge. In addition, a serrated blade is provided at the label outlet ofthe housing to sever the dispensed label at the point where it exits anoutlet in the housing. Unfortunately, however, the Flood dispenser isunnecessarily complicated since it is produced from two separatebox-like housings, and involves use of a separate backing material.

[0009] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,861 to Bishop teaches a dispenserfor dispensing and separating pressure sensitive adhesive tape from aseries of unconnected liner strips in a roll arrangement. Bishopdiscloses the dispenser as being composed of cardboard carton material,including an interior portion for housing the roll arrangement, and hasan exit opening therein. The dispenser includes a tape cutter adjacentthe exit opening for cutting away individual pieces of adhesive tape.The dispenser further includes a path having a bend within the interiorfor sharply bending the roll of adhesive tape back on itself to separatethe liner strips from the adhesive tape. The abrupt angle at which theroll of adhesive tape is bent back upon itself enables the unconnectedliner strips to individually fall away from the adhesive tape within thedispenser. Accordingly, the adhesive tape is presented to the userwithout a backing strip, or liner strips, as is necessary with thedispenser disclosed in Flood. Unfortunately, however, Bishop involvesrelatively complicated flaps and folds of the paper box and alsoincludes an undesirable cutting blade.

[0010] In addition to the article dispensers discussed above, severalgift packaging kits have been disclosed in the prior art. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,759 to Gannon et al. discloses a gift packaging andwrapping ensemble. The gift ensemble includes a collapsible,constructible gift box for packaging gift merchandise, wrappingmaterials, a gift card, trimming material, a transparent wrappingmaterial, and a rigid backing member for providing support. U.S. Pat.No. 6,138,832 to Hunter et. al. discloses a packing kit for use inpacking items for moving transport. The packing kit includes a packingcarton, mastic tape for securing the carton closed, packing material tomaintain the position of the packing items, inscribing means to labelthe packing items, and instructions for using the items in the packingkit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,440 to Singerman discloses a gift packaging kitincluding a container of collapsible and constructible rigid materialhaving a plurality of sides and a bottom. Packing material includingcellophane, tissue paper, and tissue shred is in an overlying positionwith respect to the collapsed container. A gift is in a partiallyoverlying position with respect to the container and a wrapping materialsubstantially encloses the gift, the packing material, and thecontainer.

[0011] Unfortunately, the Gannon et al., Hunter et al., and Singermanreferences fail to disclose a packaging kit adapted for use with a giftof valuable paper and having an openable container with a slottherethrough for dispensing the paper money. Similarly, the Boreali etal., Flood, and Bishop references do not disclose, teach, or suggest anovelty money dispenser. On special occasions, people often presentmonetary gifts to a recipient. In addition, some people commonly presentnovelty items as gifts for various occasions. Accordingly, the prior artlacks a fun way to present a monetary gift in a new and extravagantfashion in the form of a novelty item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a novelty money dispenser. The novelty money dispenser includesa container having panels and further having a slot disposed through oneor more of the panels. A roll of paper currency is disposed within thecontainer, wherein a portion of the roll extends outwardly through theslot of the container. The novelty money dispenser of the presentinvention can further include an openable top panel with the slotdisposed therethrough. Furthermore, the roll of paper currency caninclude a series of individual bills of any selected denomination thatare held together end-to-end by pieces of peelable tape for easyseparation.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided aroll of paper currency that includes a strip of bills joined together inseriatim in end-to-end fashion. The roll also includes an article orcompound for temporarily connecting the bills together, such as piecesof pressure sensitive tape adhered between ends of the bills wherein thetape is peelable for easy removal.

[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda novelty gift packaging kit that is adapted for use with the roll ofpaper money of the present invention. The kit includes an integralone-piece container that is collapsible and that is constructible. Thecontainer includes side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel thattogether define an interior of the container when it is constructed. Oneof the top, bottom, and side panels includes a dispensing slottherethrough for dispensing paper money out from the interior. Aspackaged in kit form, however, the container is collapsed to form agenerally rectangular, planar configuration. The kit also includesadhesive material overlaying the collapsed integral one-piece container,and a transparent wrapping around the container and adhesive material,wherein the container and adhesive material is visible for commerciallydisplaying and promoting the novelty gift packaging kit.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a uniquenovelty item used for presenting a monetary gift in a novel andextravagant fashion.

[0016] It is another object to provide a unique roll of paper currencythat includes a strip of bills temporarily connected in end-to-endfashion.

[0017] It is a still another object that such a roll is adapted for usewith a container to provide the unique novelty item.

[0018] It is yet another object to provide a container that isconfigured to enable use of the unique roll of paper currency therewith.

[0019] It is a further object to provide a unique novelty item that arecipient can enjoy by pulling bills of paper currency therefrom in acontinuous strip, or one-by-one at a time.

[0020] It is still a further object to provide a novelty “money machine”paper currency dispenser where a gift giver selects the amount of giftto be given by selecting a given denomination of currency.

[0021] It is yet a further object to provide a packaging kit fordisplaying and marketing the novelty “money machine”.

[0022] These objects and other features, aspects, and advantages of thisinvention will be more apparent after a reading of the followingdetailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially unrolled roll of papercurrency according to the present invention, in which individual billsare taped together in an end-to-end manner;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a moneydispenser according to the present invention, illustrating the roll ofpaper currency of FIG. 1 being dispensed therefrom;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the packagingkit of the present invention; and

[0026]FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the packagingkit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring in detail to the Figures, there is shown in FIG. 2 anovelty money dispenser 10 in accordance with the preferred embodimentof the present invention. The dispenser 10 generally includes acontainer 12 and a roll 14 of paper currency rotatably disposed withinthe container 12. Preferably, the container 12 includes attractivegraphical indicia thereon, for example pictures of wads of money or acontinuous strip of paper money being unfurled from a container.

[0028]FIG. 1 depicts the roll 14 of paper currency in a partiallyunrolled state. The roll 14 is composed of a strip of individual bills16 adhered together in seriatim end-to-end. Preferably, as shown, thebills 16 are taped together using pieces of tape 18 that are peelableand preferably pressure sensitive. Consistent with typical papercurrency, each bill 16 has a leading end 20, a trailing end 22, andsides 24 longitudinally disposed therebetween. Each bill 16 also has anoutboard surface 26 and an oppositely disposed inboard surface 28. Withthe exception of the last bill of the roll 14, the trailing end 22 ofeach bill 16 is aligned adjacently along the leading end 20 of the bill16 that is disposed successively along the strip. It is contemplatedthat the bills 16 can be spaced apart from one another or can beoverlapped. The pieces of tape 18 are applied between successive bills16, on one or both of the inboard and outboard surfaces 28 and 26 of thebills 16. Preferably, the removable pieces of tape 18 are applied in adirection transverse to the longitudinal path of the strip, as shown.The roll 14 is produced by manually laying out a series of bills 16 inend-to-end fashion, applying the pieces of tape 18 to one surface then,if desired, to the opposite surface of the bills 16, then rolling up thestrip of bills 16 into the roll 14. The roll 14 can also beautomatically produced, such as by a rolling and taping machinespecially designed for this task.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the container 12 is a box-like structurehaving four side panels 30, a bottom panel 32, and a top panel 34together defining an interior 36 of the container 12. Preferably, thecontainer 12 is constructed of paper or cardboard material and can beprinted upon to increase the novelty aspect of the invention. Thecontainer 12 is preferably an integral one-piece structure whereinportions of the top and bottom are glued or mechanically interconnectedto portions of the side panels 30 to close the container 12. Any of thepanels may be openable, but preferably, the top panel 34 is openablefrom the side panels 30 using a tab and slot arrangement or the like(not shown). One of the panels, preferably the top panel 34 as shown,includes a dispensing slot 38 therethrough. Independently, suchcontainers are well-known in the art and are exemplified by tissueboxes, gift boxes, and the like. Uniquely, however, the roll 14 of papercurrency is disposed within the container 12.

[0030] Still referring to FIG. 2, the roll 14 is preferably assembledwithin the container 12 after the bottom panel 32 is connected to therest of the container 12, but before the top panel 34 is closed. Theleading end 20 of the first bill 16 of the strip is aligned parallel tothe dispensing slot 38 and the first bill 16 of the strip is fedtherethrough. Then the top panel 34 is glued or connected to the rest ofthe container 12. Thus, a completely assembled container 12 includes aportion of the first bill 16 of the roll 14 extending through thedispensing slot 38 and is taped to the exterior of the container 12 toprevent the roll 14 from unraveling and prevent the strip of bills 16from falling completely inside the container 12.

[0031] A user dispenses bills 16 from the device through the dispensingslot 38 first by pulling the leading bill 16 with one hand in adirection away from the container 12 until one or more successive bills16 are exposed. This pulling action unwinds the roll 14 and advances thestrip through the dispensing slot 38. With much enthusiasm, the userpulls the strip of bills 16 from the container 12, thereby unleashingseveral feet of the bills 16 and creating a pile of money.Alternatively, the user grabs each successive bill 16 as it exits thedispensing slot 38 with the other hand and continues to pull the leadingbill 16 until the pieces of tape 18 joining the bills 16 becomedisconnected, or are removed, from one or more of the adjacent bills 16.As a result, the bills 16 can be separated from one another one at atime. Accordingly, the dispenser 10 acts as an extravagant “moneymachine” novelty gift, wherein a user pulls bills 16 from the dispenser10 one by one as desired, or in a long continuous strip.

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a packaging kit 40 of the present inventionincluding the container 12 in its collapsed state and a supply of thepieces of tape 18 overlaying the container 12. The supply of the piecesof tape 18 can be any form including but not limited to a roll or isoverlaid in rectangular form as shown. A transparent shrink-wrap 42encloses the container 12 and the tape 18. Optionally, a peg rack hook44 is adhered to a portion of the shrink-wrap 42 for mounting thepackaging kit 40 to a store display unit. Finally, a decorative indicia46 is printed on the container 12 for fun.

[0033] Similarly, FIG. 4 illustrates another packaging kit 140 includinga container 112 according to a preferred collapsible design. Thecontainer 112 includes decorative indicia 146 thereon for fun and forinstructions if desired. The packaging kit 140 also includes a roll ofpieces of tape 118 for taping paper money together in seriatim, whereinthe paper money is not included with the packaging kit 140. A pull tab148 is also included and has adhesive thereon for attaching to the firstbill of a continuous strip of paper money (not shown), such that thepull tab 148 sticks out of the container 112 through a dispensing slot138 when the container 112 is assembled. A transparent shrink-wrap 142preferably encloses the entire assemblage of components including thecontainer 112, tape 118, and pull tab 148. Finally, the packaging kit140 is pierced with a peg hole 150 for easy mounting to standard storedisplay hooks. Alternatively, a separate backing board (not shown) canbe provided as a support and mounting board for the rest of thecomponents and can include further indicia and instructions printedthereon. The containers 12 and 112 of FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively arepreferably constructed of collapsible cardboard material having foldlines and tabs as are well known in the art of packaging.

[0034] While the present invention has been described in terms of apreferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be adoptedby one skilled in the art. For example, the teachings of the presentinvention encompass any reasonable substitutions or equivalents of theclaim limitations. A specific example includes using a roll composed ofbills of any denomination, or using gift certificates, etc. Anotherexample is using any other shape of container including globes ortriangles. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatother forms of adhesive or connection could be used besides tape. Forexample, the bills could be overlapped and joined using a tacky adhesivesuch as that used in 3M's Post-It® brand notes. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to only bills that are taped together usingindividual pieces of tape, and the scope of the present invention is tobe limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A novelty money dispenser comprising: a container having a slot disposed therethrough; and a roll of paper currency disposed within said container, wherein a portion of said roll of paper currency extends outwardly through said slot of said container.
 2. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plurality of panels, at least one of said plurality of panels said plurality of panels of said container comprise an openable top panel, said slot being disposed through said openable top panel.
 3. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roll of paper currency comprises a plurality of individual bills adhered together in seriatim.
 4. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said roll of paper currency further comprises a plurality of pieces of removable tape, said plurality of pieces of removable tape holding said plurality of individual bills together end-to-end, wherein said plurality of individual bills can be pulled through said slot of said container so as to unfurl said roll of paper currency into a pile of money for fun and excitement.
 5. A paper money dispenser comprising: an integral one-piece container including side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel together defining an interior of said container, one of said top, bottom, and side panels having a dispensing slot therethrough; and a roll of paper currency disposed within said interior of said container, said roll of paper currency comprising: a continuous strip of a plurality of individual bills joined in seriatim end-to-end, said plurality of individual bills having leading ends and trailing ends, said trailing ends being successively joined to said leading ends of successively disposed individual bills of said plurality of individual bills; and means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together; whereby said plurality of individual bills can be separated from one another one at a time by pulling one of said plurality of individual bills in a direction away from the rest of said plurality of individual bills; wherein a portion of said continuous strip extends outwardly through said dispensing slot of said container.
 6. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said top panel of said box is openable.
 7. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plurality of individual bills are adhered together.
 8. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said roll of paper currency farther comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape joining said plurality of individual bills together end-to-end, whereby said plurality of individual bills is dispensed through said dispensing slot by a user pulling said portion of said continuous strip to unwind said roll of paper currency to advance said continuous strip out of said container, wherein said plurality of individual bills can be pulled through said slot of said container so as to unfurl said roll of paper currency into a pile of money for fun and excitement.
 9. A roll of paper currency comprising: a strip of a plurality of bills, said plurality of bills being joined in seriatim end-to-end; and means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together.
 10. The roll of paper currency as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for temporarily connecting comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape connecting said plurality of bills to temporarily hold said plurality of bills together.
 11. A roll of paper currency adapted for use as a novelty gift item, said roll of paper currency comprising: a continuous strip of a plurality of individual bills joined in seriatim end-to-end, said plurality of individual bills having leading ends and trailing ends, said trailing ends being successively joined to said leading ends of successively disposed individual bills of said plurality of individual bills; and means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together; whereby said plurality of individual bills can be separated from one another one at a time by pulling one of said plurality of individual bills in a direction away from the rest of said plurality of individual bills.
 12. The roll of paper currency as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for connecting comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape connecting said plurality of bills to temporarily hold said plurality of bills together.
 13. A packaging kit adapted for use with a gift of valuable paper, said kit comprising: a container that is collapsible and constructible, said container being collapsed in a generally planar configuration; adhesive material overlaying a portion of said collapsed container; and a wrapping at least substantially enclosing said container and said adhesive material for commercially displaying and promoting said packaging kit.
 14. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said container comprises a collapsed cardboard box having an openable panel.
 15. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said adhesive material comprises a supply of tape.
 16. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said wrapping comprises shrink-wrap.
 17. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a pull tab overlaying a portion of said collapsed container and enclosed within said wrapping.
 18. A novelty gift packaging kit adapted for use with paper money, said kit comprising: an integral one-piece container that is collapsible and constructible, said container including side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel that together define an interior of said container when constructed, said container being collapsed forming a generally rectangular, planar configuration, at least one of said top, bottom, and side panels being openable, at least one of said top, bottom, and side panels having a dispensing slot therethrough for dispensing said paper money out from said interior; adhesive material overlaying said collapsed integral one-piece container, said adhesive material for joining said paper money together in seriatim; and a transparent wrapping at least substantially enclosing said container and said adhesive material wherein at least a portion of said container and said adhesive material is visible for commercially displaying and promoting said novelty gift packaging kit.
 19. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said container comprises a collapsed cardboard box having a graphical design printed thereon.
 20. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adhesive material comprises a supply of strips of tape.
 21. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said transparent wrapping comprises transparent shrink-wrap.
 22. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a pull tab overlaying a portion of said collapsed container and enclosed within said transparent wrapping.
 23. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adhesive material comprises a roll of transparent tape.
 24. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a peg hole pierced therethrough for mounting and displaying said novelty gift packaging kit. 